College Holds “Give Kids a Smile Day”

EDISON — “Give Kids a Smile Day,” an annual event at Middlesex County College, provides free dental care and dental education to area children. Local dentists, hygienists, and dental students and alumnae volunteered their time and talents Feb. 4. They treated 59 children who received an exam, a cleaning, fluoride treatments, x-rays, sealants, as well as education on how to brush and floss. Those who needed it had cavities filled and extractions performed. The effort was equivalent of $51,000 worth of free dental care. The college was one of 108 locations throughout New Jersey that helped brighten about 5,000 smiles that day.

The program also included a session on dental education. From left, Brittany Ai of Piscataway learns the proper way to brush teeth from the Tooth Fairy, Amanda Laidlaw (Sayreville), College President Joann La Perla-Morales, and Captain Fluoride, Destiny Owen (South Plainfield).

Betty Paul, (Edison), left, a 2007 graduate of the college dental program, and Andrea Baros (South Brunswick), a 2010 graduate, apply sealants to the teeth of Cierra Cooper (Old Bridge).